As the reality of climate change grows, so does the disastrous consequences that will follow.

While most of us have acknowledged climate change, many U.S. corporations are working to combat the truth rather than the issue.

Powerful corporations think there is more to be gained by continuing to function at lower costs at the expense of the environment — our environment. They need individuals like you and me to not question whether their actions are ethical. They need us to stay quiet and allow them to cripple Mother Earth.

Some companies have been known to complain about a carbon tax and whine that they’ll surely go out of business if they have to be responsible for the poison pumped into the air and water. Other companies, like Volkswagen, try another route — falsifying data to make their products seem more environmentally friendly when they are absolutely not.

Richard Branson, a British entrepreneur said, “Our only hope to stop climate change is for industry to make money from it.” Branson is right. But he is also wrong. There is no way to rely on corporations unless there are benefits they can seize to help themselves and increase profits.

In addition, many of them are partially responsible for the issues that we are trying to solve. Why the hell would we want their help? Instead, we can make it expensive to operate wastefully, to dump and to over-emit.

Our current political atmosphere supports deception, environmental degradation, self-advancement and — well, Microsoft Word would crash before I could finish listing the incompetence of our current government (i.e. Trump).

The point is, corporations are off the leash without an able president. Corporations like Monsanto, Rio Tinto and a bunch of shady pharmaceuticals are encouraged to screw over the common man because who is going to say “no?”

I would like to note that this is not an exhaustive list of sketchy corporations. Do your research and be shocked at the atrocities these groups commit on a regular basis. As Monsanto would say, “They can’t afford to lose one dollar of business.” Google that.

Fortunately, this is a one-sided deal because we don’t need them. We have power, and we demonstrate it with what we buy, who we vote for and who we inform.

Buying from responsible producers and manufacturers ensures that your money goes to a group that will not turn around and dump chemicals into your drinking water (i.e. Monsanto).

Research your favorite products and determine for yourself where the interests of the company lies: with your health, satisfaction and your planet? Or for its own wealth?

Voting is one of the most important parts of our political system. Each of us is responsible for voting out those politicians who serve themselves and are incompetent. We need politicians who are familiar with the political system and who, rather than promote their own ideology, listen to the people they represent.

Finally, educating yourself and sharing the message is so important. When each of us is armed with facts, preferably those from a respectable source, we can fight the deception spread by corporations and unethical politicians.

With conscious choices, we can build a sustainable future that benefits every life.